War game.



T. J. BURKE.

WAR GAME.

APPLlCATlON EILED JAN.25. m1.

Patented Feb. 19, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

T. J. BURKE.

WAR GAME. ArPucAnbn FILED JAN.25. 1911.

Patented Feb. 19,1918.

a SHEETS-SHEET 2.

QQW a T. 1. BURKE.

WAR'GAME.

APPLlCATlDN FILED JAN. 25. Hill.

Patented Feb. 19, 1918.

R nlllcilk. .1

' portion of FEQE.

THOMAS J. BURKE, on NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

wan GAME.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 19,1918.

Application filed January 25, 1917. Serial No. 144,486.

New Orleans, in the parish of Orleans and State of Louisiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Var Games, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to game apparatus and more particularly to that type embodying a base designed to support a number of objective game pieces in upright position, means for setting the game pieces, and a projectile throwing means, and it is one aim of the present invention to provide in an apparatus of this class a novel setting device which may be readily actuated to quickly automatically accurately reset all of the game pieces simultaneously and which may be also actuated to relieve thegame pieces of tension sothat they stand upon their bases and be otherwise unsupported so that when any one or several of the game pieces are struck by the projectile of the game apparatus they will be caused to fall.

Another aim of the invention is to provide in conjunction with the setting device for the game pieces, a target element which becomes the objective at which the projectile throwing device is aimed after all or a the game pieces have been knocked down, the arrangement of parts being such that when this target element is struck by the projectile the device for resetting the game pieces will be released to automatically act for the purpose stated.

The means provided for resetting the game pieces embodies flex ble elements which are connected individually to the game pieces and to a member which is moved through the influence of a compression spring and which is designed to place the flexible elements under tension so as to move the game pieces to upright position and so h ld them, and it is a further aim of the invention to so construct the said member that the flexible el ments connected thereto may be individually tightened or loosened so that when all of the said elements have been properly adjusted and the member is moved through the i fluence of the said spring the elements will be placed under an equal degree of tension.

Another airn of the invention is to so connect the flexible elements with the game p i.eoes that when, the said elements are placed under tension the game pieces in being brought upright will-be caused to assume a predetermined position.

Another aim of the invention is to pro vide a novel means for supporting the netting which is provided for limiting the throw of the projectile and returning the same to the player, the supporting means being so constructed and mounted that it may be laid flat upon the base of the apparatus when the apparatus is not in use and so that therefore the apparatus may be packedin a comparatively small space -The invention also aims to provide a novel means for supporting the target memher so that when the apparatus is not in use this member may be dismounted and thereby permit of the apparatus being packed in a small space.

A still further object of the invention is to mount the projectile throwing device in a novel manner and so that the same may be conveniently swung about to assume various positions thereby testing the skill of the player.

In the accompanying drawingsz Figure 1 is a perspective view of the game apparatus embod ing the present invention; Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the rear end thereof;

Fig. 4 is a fra mentary perspective view illustrating a portion of the device for resetting the objective game pieces;

Fig. 5 is a vertical long tudinal sectional view through the projectile throwing gunv and that portion of the base of the device upon which it is mounted;

Fig. 6 is a group perspective View illustrating the parts of a modified formof tar et member; i V

Fig. 7 is a bottom planview of a moditied form of the apparatus;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. at illustrating a further modification;

Fig. 9 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view illustrating a slight modification of the invention.

The ame ap aratus embodying the present invention includes a base 1 which at one end is supported by relatively short. legs 2 and at its other end by shorter legs or at its last-mentioned end may rest directly upon the table or other support uponwhich itfis disposed. In any event the base is inclined downwardly fromits first to its j down when struck a blow, as, for example, by the projectile of the apparatus. On the other hand, when a pull is exerted upon any one of the flexible elements 27 the respective game piecewillbe immediately brought to upright position and as the openings 25 and 26 and the corresponding openings 29 and 30 are located in front to rear alinement with regard to the apparatus as a whole, the game pieces will assume a prede- V termined position, which in thepresent instance is such that all of the game pieces will face the player, as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. It will be understood that the flexible elements 27 constitute parts of the device provided for resetting the game pieces and the said device further includes a reciprocatory member in the nature of a rod 31 which is slidably mounted in eyes 32 and 33 upon the underside of the base 1, the eye 32 being carried by a base plate 34 which constitutes a part of. the support for the target memberv as will be presently described, and the eye 33.being carried by an attaching base 35 which is secured to the underside. of the base 1. The eyes 32 and 33 are arranged in front to rear alinement with relation to the base 1 and-for a purpose to be presently explained, the said rod at that endlocated-next adjacent the upper end of the said base is flattened upon its upperside, as indicated by the numeral 36. A cross head 38 is secured in any suitable manner upon the rod 31 near the other end thereof and the said cross head is preferably of wood or some other suitable yieldable-or resilient'material and is formed in each end with a kerf 39 of such dimensions as to more or less snugly and frictionally receive the ends of a number of flexible elements 27, the elements connected with the game pieces at one side of the middle of thevbase being engaged in the kerf 39 formed in the respective end of the cross head 38. It will be understood that by pressing together the jaws which result from the formation of each kerf, the flexible elements engaged between the jaws will be so frictionally gripped as to connect the said elements for positive movement with the cross head and in order that-the jaws may be so moved or in otherwords in order that the kerfs may be closedv or partly closed screws 40 are threaded through the upper edge of the cross head near each end thereof and extend through the upper jaw and into the lower jaw, it being understood that when these screws are tightened the jaws will: be closed and when the screws are loosened the jaws may, due to the inherent resiliency of the" material from which the cross head is. formed, slightly spread so as to relieve the pressure previously exerted against the flexible elements 27. Thus should any one or more o'f'the flexible elements 27 I vide means for so moving the rod 31 in the eyes 32 and 33-as to tension all of the flexible elements 27 and cause the game piecesto assume an upright position, a spring 41 is fitted upon the rod 31 andsbears at one end, against the eye 33 and, at its other end against the cross head 38. It will be under- L stood that when the rod 31 is slid-to the rightin Fig. 3 of the drawings, the spring 41wil1 be placed under tension and at the same time the flexible elements 27 will be permitted to become slack, In order that after the rod has been so moved, it may be held against movement in the opposite direction through the action of the spring 41, the target member includes a dog 42 having a tooth 43 designed to engage a keeper 44 upon the upper side of the rod 31 at the end of theflattened portion 36. T hedog 42 constitutes one arm of an angle lever, the other arm of which, indicated by the numeral 45,

extends upwardly through a slot 46 formed in the base 1 and supports the'target member proper which member is indicated by the numeral 47 and in that form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, is in the nature of 'a' diskwhich may be plain or ornamental or which mav'bear any desired image .either as desired. The target member 47 is located rearwardly of the group of objective game pieces, as clearly shown in Figs. '1 and 3 of-the drawings and at the angle between the arms 45 and 42 the said angle member is pivoted, as at 48, upon the attaching base 34. In. order to normally hold the target member 47 in a forward direction and therefore in order that the dog 42 maybe yieldably held in position for engagement with the keeper 44, a spring 49 is mounted upon the base 34 and extends up wardly therefrom .in rear of the target member 47 and bears at its upper end against the rear side of the said member. It will now be understood that when the'tooth of the dog is in engagement'with the keeper 44 the rod 31 will be held against forward movement under the influence of the spring 41. However, should the projectile be fired at the target member and should the said projectile hit the said member, the member will. be rocked rearwardly and as a result the tooth 43 will be disengaged from the keeper 44 whereupon. the spring 41 will act to immediately slide the rod 31 forwardly, therebycorrespondingly moving the cross head 38 andsimultaneously tensioning all of the flexible elements'27. As the said elewill be-brought tofupright .position in the manner. heretofore describ ed. @I n' order that the rod liimay, bev manually moved against theftension of-thespring ll so that. when it 5 is desired to use 'the' game apparatus and prior to operation, o fthehprojectlle throw ing gun, so as. to leave theobjective game pieces supported solely upon their respective bases, the rod 31 is provided 'atits end at which thespring 41. is located with an extension, 50 which projects beyond that end of the base 1 at which the projectile gun is "cated and beneath the said gun the extension the ,numeral 53, is. formed with a socket 54.

toreceive the said arm 52, itbei ig understoodthat the said target membermay be removed; fromthearm when the apparatus is not inuse, wherebyto shorten the height of the apparatus as a Whole and thereby permit of the same beingpackedin a small space. 'While in the previously "described form of the, inventionthe objective-game. pieces are automatically. reset when a target 7 element is struclrby the projectile of the ap-- paratus, it will be apparent'by reference to Fig. 7 of; the drawings that the fleXible ele A ments which arev connected with the said game pieces may in turn be connected with an element designed} to be. manually actu'ated to place the said flexible elements I under tension and in the saidfigure thenumer'al 55. indicates a cord or other flexible element to;which the flexible 7 elements 27 are connected, as indicated by. the-numeral 56.

Thecord '55 is led through an opening in,

' that.,ei1d.of the base 1 at which. the projec tilethrowingdevice, is located and it desired the, said cord maybe provid ed,with a ring or other similar element57 whereby it may be, .conveniently grasped for the. purpose of exerting apull thereon for tensioning the flexible elements 27. and thereby reset-the game pieces."

inventionjthe, ffieXible elements 27.,are, as stated, provided with knots or otherstop L elementsi2 8 which engage the underside of the base 1. However, the said elements may be-- threadedi through the registering openings ing the' bases of the respective game pieces, andfin the' basel and then have their "m an en b w th eripr j w q ithe cr ss h e 3fi r s wn neof being conveniently grasped for the purpose manandwhich, isjindicated in general by {In the previously described forms of the the drawings, and as indicated by the numeral 58. It will be understoodithat inv any event the essential idea involvedso far as this. particular feature ofth'e invention is concerned is that ,of having the game pieces assume a predetermined position as they are brought upright, the desiredresult' being accomplished by-having the flexible elements 5 a 27 passed through two registering openings in. the base of each" respective game'piece andthe basel. V 7 7 In that form of theinventioir shown in end -58 which may be of wire mesh or'ot' sheet material, such, for example, as metal or .wood and the said sides and end are, hingedly mounted uponthe base, as 1115.159, and 60, respectively, so. as to adapt them to lie down flat from thebase when the app ra tus is not in use Fig. -5 of the drawings the. netting" 3is re- 7 placed by relatively rigid sides 57 and an It is preferable'that the targetinember47 be formed in itsupperedge with a. socket. '61 .into,,whicl1 be fitted the lower end of a small flag staff 62bearing a flag" 63 it of these flags may be provided representing the flags of the difierent nations and that their. staffs may be interchangeably fitted into the socket 61.

. By-reference to Fig; 3 of 'the drawings it 9' being understood that any desired numben willbe observed. thatflthe toothf43 of the trigger device does 'not contactthe rod 31 due to the fact that the said rod is-fiattened is upon 'its'upper side,asl at,36, as heretofore explained, and, consequently, there is no fr ction between these parts as thiIOdl is 'moved backwardly and i oriwardlyf It will alsofbe apparent that-when the tooth 43 is in engagementwith the keeper. 44' the fulcrum of the trigger is raised toa levelwith the point of pressure and asa result the trigger. is rendered sensitive so that "a light sufiicient'to trip the said trigger.

blow struck the target--member 47 will be "It is preferable'thatthe spring 49 have base 34lwhen the time of its manufacture.

It will' furth'er be understood that the lower; end flattened and embedded in' the latter is being'cast at the openings 25 and 26. and29 and 80 may be I disposed-transversely of the board if deslred so long as respective ones of the openings register when the gamev pieces arein upright position and facing. in the proper Y direction.

what isclaimed as new is 1. In game apparatus described, a base, ob e'ctive'v game pieces "Having 'thus; j describied the invention,

portions, jgflex'ible elements connected with the said "game, pieces and" led through the lo the i as mounted uponjthe base,a reclprocatory rod 7 mounted beneath the base, a cross head car rled 'therebvand providedwith spaced jaw said base and frictionally gripped between thesaid jaw portions of the said cross head, and means tending to move the rod in one direction. 7

2. In game apparatus of the class described, objective game pieces mounted upon the base, a rod mounted for reciprocation beneath the said base, a spring tending to move the rod in one direction, means operable to hold the rod against movement through the influence of the spring, a cross head carried by the arm and having spaced jaw portions, means for closing the said jaw portions, and flexible elements connected with the game pieces and led through the base and engaged between the said jaw portions of the cross head.

3. In game apparatus of the class described, a base having spaced openings therein, an objective game piece disposed lupon the base and having its supporting base portion provided with spaced openings designed to register with the openings in the base, a flexible element passed through the openings in the said base and base portion, and means connected with the flexible element for exerting a pull thereon.

4. In a game apparatus of the class described, a base, objective game pieces mounted thereon, a rod mounted for reciprocation beneath the base, a spring tending to move the rod in one direction, flexible elements connected with the rod and with the objective game pieces and led through the base, an oscillatory target member mounted upon the base, a dog carried by the target member and located beneath the base, and a keeper upon the said rod engageable by the said dog.

5. In game apparatus of the class de- SCIlb:d, a base, objective game pieces mounted thereon, a rod mounted for reciprocation beneath the base, a spring tending to move the rod in one direction, flexiblo elements connected with the rod and with the objective game pieces and led through the base, an oscillatory target member mounted upon the base, a dog carried by the targrt member and located beneath the base, a keeper upon the said rod engage-able by the said dog, the target member including a targetv element proper and an oscillatory supporting element, the said target element proper being removable from the supporting element.

6. In game apparatus of the class described, a base having spaced openings Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner 0! Patents,

7. In game apparatus 0: the class de-- scribed, a base, objective game pieces mounted thereon, a rod mounted for reciprocation beneath the base, a spring tending to move the rod in one direction, connections between the rod and game pieces, an oscillatory target member mounted upon the base, a dog carried by the target member and located beneath the base, a keeper upon the said rod engageable by the said dog, the mounting for the oscillatory target member including an attaching base portion and a spring embedded at its lower end in the said base portion and at its upper end bearing against the rear side of the target member. I

8. In game apparatus of the class described, a base, objective game pieces mounted thereon, a rod mounted for reciprocation beneath the base, a spring tending to move the rod in one direction, connections between the rod and game pieces, an oscillatory target member mounted upon the base, a dog carried by the target memher and located beneath the base, a keeper upon the said rod engageable by the said dog, the mounting for the oscillatory target member including an attaching base portion, and a spring embedded at its lower end in the said base portionand at its upper end bearing against the rear side of the target member, the said base portion of the mounting having a portion constituting a guide for the said rod.

9. In game apparatus of the class described, a base, objective game pieces mounted thereon, a rod mounted for reciprocation beneath the base, a spring tending to move the rod. in one direction, flexible elements connected with the rod and with the objective game pieces and led through the base, an oscillatory target member mounted upon the base, a dog carried by the target member and located beneath the base, and a keeper upon the said rod engageable by the said dog, the target member having a socket, and an emblem having a staff removably fitted in said socket.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

THOMAS J. BURKE. [1,. 5.]

Washington, D. 0. I 

